Fla. Republicans set to make it harder for ex-felons to vote

Fla. Republicans set to make it harder for ex-felons to vote: "Before 2007, ex-felons were forced to apply and, in many cases, wait years for a clemency-board hearing for a chance to have their rights restored and gain the ability to vote or obtain occupational licenses. The Crist plan retained hearings for the most violent offenders, but since 2007 most ex-felons have been placed automatically in line to be considered for rights restoration.

'This issue of civil rights restoration is about principle, not partisanship,' said Jennifer Meale, Bondi's spokeswoman. 'Attorney General Bondi is philosophically opposed to the concept of automatic restoration of civil rights and believes not only that felons should apply for their rights, but wait for a period of time in order to attest to their rehabilitation and commitment to living a crime-free life.'"